Quantum mechanics spirituality?

[rattymat]

I was watching a documentary called the Quantum Activist. At the time I found the idea of it interesting. That the waves of possibilities have some kind of spirituality in such a message. That we can create these possibilities through a certain mentality.
Now, however, I am beginning to feel very skeptical of the notion. Let me note that I have never been a spiritual person, and I was willing to take in the idea at first without completely rejecting it.
But the implications of combining spirituality with quantum mechanics has triggered an eerie thought in my mind which I had thought of long ago; using science as a new religion. As we know, the implementing of religion in the past has been used as a means of control. Can that be done with what is considered a logical safe haven, science?
I think it provides space for a lot of misinterpretation, as quantum mechanics is largely not understood by the mass population (and I cannot say it is something I fully understand myself though I have been making effort to do so). Whenever there is an area that is respected yet not understood, there is room to BELIEVE.
Believing is an evil word to me, as it accepts an idea which is not proven.

Anyway, this was just a thought that occurred to me as a potential negative outcome of combining spirituality with quantum mechanics. I'd be curious to hear your take on the matter, especially if you have seen this documentary or similar.

 

[ItsRelative]

When combining spirituality and quantum mechanics you get 'we are all one' kinda notion and that reminds me about budhism that in it's core is philosophy, so i don't see any new harmful religion coming out of this all.
If it really turns out we need observer in all practicality to explain the universe that would make my day, i like the idea.
If you'd make religion out of all this, i think it would promote ideas that would finally snap people out of the autopilot and materialistic ideology.

 

[rattymat]

But that is the thing; it is a tricky idea. The views in Buddhism have been distorted from the inherent message of Buddha- demonstrated in numerous ways including the hundreds of Buddha statues you see, when it was specifically expressed that he did not want to be idolized.
This distortion which may originate from misunderstanding is the kind of trouble that would worry me in the sculpting of quantum-based spirituality or religion. But then again, misunderstanding is a distortion which demonstrates itself in many facets of communication. There is just the added scare of tagging it with spirituality.

 

[ItsRelative]

I see your point, there is always ignorance and distortion of ideas.
Haha, i can imagine physicists trying to hold peoples escalating ideas at bay and rooted in reality when this new kind of twisted religion would start to emerge. Some of this can already be seen actually. Can't tell if it's going to go as far as religion some point tho.
At least it would be fairly harmless religion considering nature of it. This in place of current religions any day.
Just need to be quick at differentiating it as religion, i can see some people falling for it thinking it's based in reality.

 

[Melllvar]

I haven't watched the film, but...

[bimgx=400]http://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20110320.gif[/bimgx]

My guess was that this was just going to be some New Age mysticism nonsense. Seems the common criticisms confirm my suspicions. The guy's supporting quantum mechanics as an explanation for psychic phenomena and stuff. Almost certainly total BS.
​

 

[SpaceYeti]

I haven't watched the film, but...

[bimgx=400]http://www.smbc-comics.com/comics/20110320.gif[/bimgx]

My guess was that this was just going to be some New Age mysticism nonsense. Seems the common criticisms confirm my suspicions. The guy's supporting quantum mechanics as an explanation for psychic phenomena and stuff. Almost certainly total BS.
​

That comic is brilliant.

 

[Vrecknidj]

Once again, we find people mixing teleology and science. It almost always fails (for lots of interesting reasons, but that's an aside).

Dave

 

[scorpiomover]

The main thing that most people seem to not like about religions, is when religious people tell other people what to do, particularly when it's in ways that seem to seriously conflict with their life choices, in other words, that religious people can start getting involved in politics. Another thing that a lot of people don't like about religions, is that a lot of religions have a rather flexible way of expressing truth, that allows for a lot of flexibility, but in many people's eyes is either untestable or illogical. Another big thing that people don't like about religions, is when religious people keep telling other religious people that they are wrong for following their religion.

As long as scientists avoid stating any political opinions, avoid stating any theory that hasn't been strongly tested, avoid stating anything that isn't completely logical, and avoid criticising other people and their religious views, then I don't see a problem with it.

 

[rattymat]

Nice comic.

@scorpian;
The fact that they are even expressing these concepts in documentaries and whatnot is enough for me to feel such theories NEED conclusive evidence. To go through the effort to create a documentary is enough 'pushing of values,' because it implies a certain accuracy and backing. The nature of accepting these ideas to come in to culture so long as they aren't forceful or have some alternative agenda is merely the start of a possible outcome where such may happen. A replacenment in religion would seem to be a really good tool that is currently lacking as Christianity is faced with increasing criticism. Again, my views are just possibilities to consider, I don't suppose they are going to happen necessarily. However, given the nature of trends, the unquestioned respect for Quantum Mechanics and the void of spirituality in current society perhaps needing to be filled, its worth considering.

 

[ilike2poison]

I don't think we'll ever be in fear of science becoming a new religion. Science either is or isn't. if the numbers don't add up then system breaks down, hence being unscientific and irrational. But, if the numbers prove the system 100% percent of the time, then what what better to believe in? In quatum mechanics, or M-theory as it has evolved over the years, every particle of anything that exists, exists because it is a vibrating string, and every string meshes up to create a sheet. That sheet, or membrane, can take on any number of shape, such as bubbles, planes, etc. These membranes are thought to be infinite in number and shapes,spanning through 11 dimensions. Obviously speculation, but the important thing is that the numbers point in that direction. These hunch calculations have in the past succeeded in defining all of our understanding of our world, although the calculations that didn't make it clearly had computational flaws. The atom was predicted through computations long before its discovery, as were countless other scientific milestones. Science will always be a solid foundation for any society or civilization to build upon, you shouldn't worry.